The John Howard Society of New Brunswick wants to bust some myths surrounding drug-impaired driving, especially with recreational cannabis becoming legal next week.
The organization is working with several partners on a new youth-led cannabis public education initiative for Grade 10 students across Atlantic Canada.
Susan O’Neil, a program development manager with the society, said students will be given myth-busting pieces of information and some will be chosen as youth leaders.
“From there, the Students Commission are taking those pre-selected youth leaders, they’re providing them with the resources so that they know exactly how to create these small, miniature campaigns within their school,” O’Neil said.
On Wednesday, Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long announced the program will receive $1.14 million from the federal government over three years.
With just a week to go until recreational cannabis is legalized, Long has announced $1.14 million for the John Howard Society of N.B. They’re working on a project for Grade 10 students aimed at stopping people from driving high. pic.twitter.com/OZpYnGjojg
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) October 10, 2018
“We want to ensure that Canadians have the facts about cannabis legalization and regulation, about road safety, and about the effect of cannabis on youth,” Long said.
Sharif Mahdy, executive director of The Students Commission of Canada, said young people influencing each other is better than anyone else trying to influence them.
Mahdy explained why they decided to focus on students who are in Grade 10.
“We’d like to get them before they’re driving so that they’re thinking critically,” Mahdy said. “Just as they’re thinking critically about all their driving skills, they’re thinking about what might happen if they put some substances into their body.”
The program will be offered in 155 Atlantic Canadian schools over two years and officials hope to eventually expand it across Canada.
(Photo: Brad Perry/Acadia News)
